Former Houston exotic dancer and mother of two Chanel Nicholson is taking her battle for justice to the U.S. Supreme Court.
After three years of legal struggles, Nicholson has petitioned the Court to review her lawsuit, which claims systemic racial discrimination at several Houston-area strip clubs—Centerfold, Splendor, and Cover Girls.
In 2021, Nicholson filed a lawsuit against owners Ali and Hassan Davari—alleging racial discrimination. She claims that between 2014 and 2021, the clubs enforced a “quota” system that limited the number of Black women allowed to work. Once the quota was filled, additional Black women were denied the opportunity to perform solely based on their race.
Nicholson’s case is grounded in a historic civil rights statute designed to ensure that Black workers have the same legal protections as their white counterparts. Her lawsuit details a pattern of systemic racial discrimination in which the clubs allegedly limited the number of Black dancers allowed to perform, a practice that Nicholson claims was in place for years.
Legal setback: Statute of limitations Issue
“It’s not just discrimination—it’s blatant racism, and it’s accepted.”
– Chanel Nicholson
Despite the gravity of her allegations, a federal judge dismissed the case in 2023, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the decision in March 2024, ruling that the statute of limitations had expired. The judges ruled that the four-year statute of limitations began in 2014, when the alleged discrimination first occurred, and did not reset with each new incident. Nicholson is now petitioning the Supreme Court to review this ruling, hoping for a decision that could set a precedent for workers’ rights across the nation.
Nicholson’s attorney, Ronald W. Chapman II, argues that if the Supreme Court does not intervene, it will become more difficult for victims of discrimination to pursue similar claims in the future.
“This case isn’t just about Chanel Nicholson; it’s about all workers who are subjected to racial discrimination, even in overlooked industries like adult entertainment,” Chapman said. “The Supreme Court must take action to protect workers’ rights and ensure that discrimination does not go unchecked.”
Systemic racism in the adult entertainment industry
The case highlights the persistence of racial discrimination in the workplace, even in industries that are often marginalized, such as the adult entertainment sector.
“What’s happening in these clubs is systemic, and it’s not just about me,” Nicholson said. “It’s about making sure no one else has to endure what I went through.”
Chanel Nicholson hopes the Supreme Court will take on her case. Credit: Chanel Nicholson IG
Nicholson’s journey has been both personal and deeply transformative. In a candid interview, she described instances of sexual assault and discrimination she faced while working as an exotic dancer. One harrowing memory involved being assaulted by a manager when she was underage. She said the club’s management dismissed the incident despite her attempt to fight back.
“Once a manager throws you out, you either have to perform a sexual favor or pay $1,500 to get back in,” Nicholson recalled.
She also shared her frustration at being told by a manager that the club was “not hiring any Black girls right now.”
The financial exploitation of exotic dancers
Nicholson’s case sheds light on the exploitation and mistreatment of dancers in strip clubs, where discriminatory practices and sexual harassment are commonplace. Nicholson said that, despite her strong work ethic and top performance record, she was still denied work because of her race.
“It’s not just discrimination—it’s blatant racism, and it’s accepted,” she said. “I knew I was qualified for the job, but they didn’t care. It was all about race.”
Nicholson also revealed how dancers often face financial exploitation. She described how the clubs imposed various fees, like DJ payments and “stage fees,” that left dancers with a fraction of their earnings.
“If you made $600, you might only see $250 after paying all the fees,” Nicholson said.
The added layer of discrimination made this financial struggle even harder for Black dancers.
“To be qualified, perform well and bring in money, only to be told it doesn’t matter because you’re Black—that’s heartbreaking,” she said.
“It’s not okay that they’re able to do this to so many women for so long and no one says anything,” she said. “I felt like it’s time to do something about it. It’s empowering.”
Nicholson’s Courageous Stand
Despite the overwhelming odds, Nicholson took on her legal fight on her own. She initially represented herself in court, but Nicholson later enlisted the help of Chapman, who praised her resilience.
“One of the most impressive things about Chanel is that she took this all the way to the Supreme Court on her own,” Chapman said. “She paved the way for herself and countless others who face similar injustices.”
If the Supreme Court agrees to hear Nicholson’s case and rules in her favor, it could establish a landmark precedent for workers’ rights. A decision in her favor would reinforce federal protections against racial discrimination, ensuring that all workers, regardless of their industry, are entitled to a fair and equitable work environment.
What’s at stake
Ronald Chapman is representing Nicholson as her case heads to the Supreme Court. Courtesy: Ronald Chapman
Chapman emphasized that even if the Supreme Court declines to hear the case, Nicholson’s fight is far from over.
“If the Court doesn’t grant our request, we’ll continue to push forward with other claims,” he said. “The fight for what’s right doesn’t stop here.”
Nicholson’s case is not the first legal challenge the Davari brothers have faced. In 2020, they settled a lawsuit filed by two former dancers who alleged they were illegally classified as independent contractors to avoid paying minimum wage. According to Nicholson, this practice is widespread in the industry, adding to the financial exploitation dancers already face.
For Nicholson, this case represents more than just a personal fight.
“I’m fighting not just for myself but for all the others who can’t speak up,” she said. “It’s time for the world to see what’s really going on.”
Her case underscores the ongoing need to address discrimination in all forms and at all levels of society, even in the most marginalized spaces.
The Fifth Circuit Court’s ruling, which is based on the argument that the statute of limitations had expired for Nicholson’s claims, has sparked concern among advocates for workers’ rights.
“If you’re discriminated against, the courts are saying you have to act immediately or lose your chance to pursue a claim,” Chapman said. “But discrimination is often difficult to recognize and even harder to challenge, especially when it’s systemic.”
Nicholson’s call for change
As Nicholson continues her fight, she hopes that her case will bring attention to the deeply ingrained racism and exploitation that exists in strip clubs and beyond.
“They know you need to be there, they know you need to make money, so they’ll do whatever they can to extort you,” she said. “It’s not just about discrimination; it’s about control.”
The outcome of this case will not only affect Nicholson but could also change the legal landscape for workers across the country. Whether or not the Supreme Court decides to review her case, Nicholson is determined to continue fighting for justice.
“I’ll keep going,” she said. “Because what’s right is right.”
